How Does EC Work?
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Most EC pills (Plan B One-Step®, Next Choice®) contain a hormone like the ones your body makes. ella® is an EC pill that mimics and blocks a hormone. EC pills stop your ovaries from releasing eggs. Without an egg, you cannot get pregnant.
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No method of birth control is 100% effective. EC pills lower the risk of pregnancy by 58-94%.
 If you take ella® within 5 days of having sex, it is 94% effective. Other EC pills are less effective.
You can take EC pills up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Progestin EC pills work best the sooner you take them, but ella® works just as well 4-5 days after sex as it does right after sex.
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EC pills don’t work as well for women at higher weights. Progestin EC may not work at all if your body mass index (BMI) is over 26. ella® may not work well if your BMI is over 35.
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You can’t use EC pills to end a pregnancy.
How Do I Use EC Pills?
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Take EC as soon as you can after unprotected sex. If your package has 2 pills, take both pills at the same time.
How Do EC Pills Help Me?
 EC is safe. EC pills do not work as well as a regular birth control method, but EC lowers your chance of getting pregnant after unprotected sex.
How Will I Feel After Taking EC Pills?
 You will most likely feel fine. EC has no long-term or severe side effects.
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You may have nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, breast pain, or belly pain for 1-2 days after taking the pills. To prevent nausea, you can take anti-nausea medicine (such as meclizine) one hour before you take EC.
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Your next period may come a few days early or a few days late. You may have spotting.
Do EC Pills Have Risks?
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EC pills are very safe. There are no known risks.
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Pregnant women should not take EC pills.
Where Can I Get EC Pills?
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Available at pharmacies, health centers or health care providers. Call ahead to see if they have it.
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Women and men of any age can get some brands without a prescription.
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Some brands are only available to women under age 17 with a prescription.
 Women of all ages can only get ella® with a prescription.
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You should always have EC on hand in case you need it. Ask for refills on your prescription.
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To get EC, ask your health care provider, or visit www.not-2-late.com.
**Remember, Emergency Contraception does not protect you from Sexually Transmitted Infections
or HIV. Always use condoms to protect yourself! **